Thanks for the quick reply guys. Other requests are: windows won't open as some were painted shut, front door can't be deadlocked and back can only be locked from the inside. Also, mentioned there is no ariel connection for television reception, internet or telephone connection; which weren't a problem whilst we were living their.
Well seeing these were not a problem for Goldigger while they were living there and its a "problem" for the tenants I'd say they are problem tenants.
Granted I don't have the full story, but from what Goldigger has said, it seems more like the issue
1. The tenants dont want to use rabbit ears as an aerial or the tenants want to put a TV in a location where there isnt an aerial.
Solution - Buy an antenna. If it worked for Goldigger it can work for them
2. Internet or telephone connection - I doubt there isn't one available, i think its more the case there isn't where the tenants want one. Again, not the landlord's problem. There are always work arounds.
For example, put the modem next to the telephone socket and then buy a Ethernet over power adaptor so that you can have internet next to the PC or simply put a cable to where you want.
With the deadlocks, the place I rent doesnt have a deadlock. However its a "secure" apartment. If I want a deadlock I can put one in at my own cost. However this should have been evident at time of inspection and something the tenants should have asked for when lodging in their application. The same deal applies for window locks.
I dont even have flyscreens on my windows, but thats just the way it is. I noticed these things when i checked out property, I applied for the property knowing these weren't there.
So yes, I do think these requests are unreasonable. If they were such an issue to begin with, then the tenant shouldnt have rented it out.
For my own IP, the tenants asked UPFRONT if I could put in a garden shed so they could have somewhere to store the lawnmower, this was mentioned at time of application, not after they signed the lease, so I accepted this and im currently in the process of putting one in.
Obviously is there is no phone socket in the property at all then one needs to put in, the landlord should cover the $200 cost Telstra will charge for setting one up.
As for the window locks, im sure the windows have locks on them, just not deadlocks. However if the windows cannot be locked in anyway, then yes the landlord should have them put in.
However I am yet to see a property that doesnt have some form of lock mechanism, even ones from the 1930's have them.